Sting keeps it real - and rockin' - at Artpark

by jmaloni

Wed, Jun 13th 2012 10:45 pm

Review, photos and video
by Sophia Smith

Famed
rocker Sting performed at Artpark on Tuesday, June 12.

Perfection.
Magic. All under a star-filled sky and flawless evening weather in
Lewiston. Sting and Police fans alike were dazzled in every way on
this practically perfect concert night. With no opening band, the capacity Mainstage crowd was greeted by the legend bounding onto stage
like a man half his age. Sting was resplendent in Police-era Jean
Paul Gaultier skin-tight black leather pants, a well-worn (rather
well-loved) T-shirt and hi-top sneaks. Under this rock-star façade,
he was, of course, sporting his famous well-toned yoga bod.

Sting's
current tour, "Back to Bass," is so named because that's his
instrument and, in the '70s, he redefined how a rock band should
sound with his bass playing. He alternated between a very much played
and weathered Fender bass, to a different bass during Tuesday's
show. It is obvious he has a connection to his oldest and dearest
guitar, since he has written and performed many of his masterpieces
on it.

With
a relatively small entourage of five musicians, it seems Sting has
streamlined his performing style. There were no neon lights, nor any
type of visual accompaniments. It was pretty much just raw talent.
Sting's voice and guitar work were solid, and highlighted by the
simplicity. One colorful addition to the stage was his Moroccan
star-shaped stool to hold his H20, which he sipped out of an actual
glass, rather than a plastic water bottle (which would likely end up
in a landfill). Sting is a celebrated environmental activist, and
walks the walk.

Sting
was charming and affable all night long, chatting up the audience in
between songs with his humorous banter.

"After
I made some money, I bought a castle in England, because that's
what the English do," he said. He then regaled the crowd with his
inspiration for "Fields of Gold," referring to the acres and
acres of barley surrounding his castle in Wiltshire. He said, "I
know there must be a song here somewhere," as he gazed on the
sun-kissed barley. Indeed there was. He then, of course, played the
song, one of his most popular solo hits.

One
of the most exciting moments in the show was when Sting and gifted
violinist Peter Tickell (also from Newcastle) jammed together -
until the sweat was pouring and the violin strings were ripping.
Clearly, they have amazing chemistry together on stage, and it was a
spectacular display of their musical abilities.

The
force of Sting's tsunami doesn't stop with near constant touring,
writing new songs, performing at charity gigs and being a husband and
father of six. He is also an aspiring writer of musical theater. He's
just written a musical, "The Last Ship," which was inspired by
the life he ran away from when he left Newcastle in 1977.

The son of a milkman
and a hairdresser, he grew up in the shadow of Swan Hunter, the
shipyard in Tyneside, England. "The Last Ship"
seems semi-autobiographical - set in '80s Newcastle, where Sting was
born and raised, and starring a character named Gideon (Sting's real
name is Gordon).

After
his glorious night at Artpark, Sting is off to Helsinki, Norway,
France and countless other spots in Europe to wrap up the "Back to
Bass" tour. Until he graces our doorstep again, we can surely count
on the anointed one to take the theater world by storm with his
upcoming musical.

For
a slew of interviews, videos, an historical archive, and exclusive
members-only offers, check out Sting's website, www.sting.com.